South African Defence Review 2012

The 1998 Defence Review and its consequences

The previous Defence Review, performed by management consultants from Deloitte and Touche in 1998, which forms the basis of current defence policy, resulted a number of serious problems.

According to defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu, the old report was no longer relevant to South Africa's current situation.

Review organisation

The review body was organised into two components, the review committee and a resource group. The minister faced criticism due to the inclusion of Tony Yengeni in the committee, as Yengeni had been convicted and sentenced for fraud relating to arms acquisition processes.

The following members were included in the review organisation:

Committee

Resource group

First consultative draft

The first draft document, forming the basis of the public consultation process, was released on 12 April 2012.

Immediate capability enhancements

Immediate capability enhancements that are required to ensure that the SANDF can adequately perform its missions were identified in the consultative draft of the defence review.

Special forces

The South African Special Forces require additional weapons and systems, including a small number of dedicated aircraft for insertion/extraction missions. Additional units should be created for specialised missions.

Border security

The following needs were identified to ensure the SANDF can adequately defend South African borders.

Air Space Surveillance and Protection

The review found that static, mobile and airborne radar systems to track low-flying aircraft, and aircraft with the capability to intercept low and slow flying target aircraft, were required in order for the SANDF to enhance its air surveillance and protection capabilities.

Extended Maritime Security Capability

Somali-based piracy expanding into the Mozambique channel had been identified as a risk, and an urgent reason to expand South Africa's maritime capability. Immediate requirements for maritime patrol aircraft, offshore patrol vessels, additional shipboard helicopters and shoreline patrol equipment, were identified.

Crisis Response Capability

The following requirements were identified to enable the SANDF to fulfill South Africa's regional security responsibilities:

Urgent capability enhancements

Various areas were identified by the review in which the SANDF lacks adequate capability to perform near/medium term missions. Obsolete equipment that needed to be replaced in order for the SANDF to retain its capabilities were identified.

Infantry Combat Vehicles

Infantry combat vehicles are suited to peacekeeping missions. The 30-year-old Ratel IFV was identified as being obsolete, making maintenance difficult, so it was suggested that they be replaced urgently.

Armoured Personnel Carriers

The Casspir and Mamba APC vehicles were identified as obsolete and in urgent need of replacement. The Mfezi Ambulance is also in need of replacement. A need for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected patrol vehicles has arisen.

Logistic Vehicles

The currently used SAMIL Trucks were identified as obsolete and in need of replacement.

Light Artillery

Recent conflicts in Africa have proven that light artillery that can be deployed quickly is needed. A 105mm long-range gun and ammunition family has been under development by Denel Land Systems since 2012.

Aerial Weapons

Weapons for the JAS-39 Gripen, BAe Hawk and Denel Rooivalk are needed in order for them to be operated effectively.

Combat Support Ships

It was identified that future operations of the South African Navy might be extended to the Mozambique Channel. The SAS Drakensberg (A301) was identified for replacement.

Force support requirements

Requirements for essential supporting equipment were also included in the consultative review. It was identified that there was a lot of obsolete or unsuitable equipment. This included water purification, field kitchen, field accommodation equipment, obsolete field workshop equipment and old field hospital equipment. The need for the re-establishment of a tactical airfield unit capability for the Air Force, in order to operate aircraft away from bases, was also identified. The acquisition of munitions and explosives to allow rebuilding of ammunition stocks and effective live-fire and explosives training was also highlighted.

Public consultation process

The Public Participation Programme (PPP) consisted of a series of public meetings and consultations with stakeholder organisations at various venues around the country:

Written submissions

The committee received written submissions from various individuals and organisations.

Second draft

The second draft, based on the first with changes being informed by input received through the public consultation process, was published on 7 September 2012. Many of the changes were criticized by the pacifist civil society organisation, the Ceasefire Campaign, who said the proposed expansion of the defence force and increased expenditure was unnecessary as South Africa does not face any credible threat of conventional war.

Second edition of the Second Draft

A second edition of this draft was published on 6 November 2012. This was to make a number of "technical changes" after discussions with the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, the Defence Secretariat Council and the Military Command Council.

Third draft

This draft was published on 10 April 2013. The draft recognised that South Africa was a significant military force in Southern Africa, however it was not considered as one of the world's major military forces.

Final version

The final edition, retitled the "2014" review due to the delay in publication, was accepted by Cabinet and submitted to Parliament in May 2014. The main points covered in the over 400-page document are:

The Defence Review identified 4 main goals of the SANDF:

1. Defend and Protect South Africa
2. Safeguard South Africa
3. Promote Peace & Security
4. Developmental & other tasks

To meet these goals the Review identified a number of Required Defence Capabilities:

Realising that the cost of implementing all of the recommendations was immense, the Review recommended 5 Planning milestones for implementing the Review's recommendations:

Force Design

The Review proposed a re-organisation of the combat forces.

Army

It is proposed that operational forces be grouped under a Land Command, with the combat elements organized into brigades grouped into three divisions, each of which has a specific operational focus. In addition, some specialized elements will be under direct command of the Land Command.: The three divisions are:

1. Mechanised Division
2. Motorised Division
3. Contingency or Special Operations Division

As a short term measure it is recommended that the South African Army consolidate its existing force structure into a Land Command comprising one Division and two Brigades:

1. A motorised division.
2. A contingency (special operations) brigade.
3. A mechanised brigade.

Response

The review, having been accepted by cabinet and retitled The "2014" Review, was submitted to parliament after the general election in May 2014. In September 2014, it was reported that official opposition Democratic Alliance shadow minister of defence and military veterans, David Maynier and defence analyst, Helmoed Heitman had expressed concerns with the delays the review was getting and said dealing with, and implementing, the defence review was a matter of urgency. By October 2014 the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and Military Veterans had been established with the responsibility to take the review as input to eventually produce a new defence policy.

Research papers

During the review a number of essays were produced by members of the review structure. These documents were used to inform the process.